Minneapolis Lebanon Relief Concert

[Henia 11]

The Event:

Jordanian Musician, Sakhar Hattar, in concert benefiting relief work in Lebanon

by Mercy Corps

When:

7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 10

Where:

Cedar Cultural Center

416 Cedar Ave. South

Minneapolis

(612) 338-2674

www.thecedar.org

Admission:

$18 in advance at the Cedar or outlets listed on www.thecedar.org; $20 at the

door.

The event is sponsored by KFAI radio and co-sponsored by the humanitarian group

Minnesotans for Lebanon and by the Arab-American arts organization Mizna, both

based in Minneapolis. Media interested in interviews may contact Russell

Packard, (651) 436-2314, russellpackard@yahoo.com, or Rabih Nahas, (612)

501-4009, rabih@minnesotansforlebanon.org.

Minneapolis concert will raise funds for humanitarian relief in Lebanon

Arab and Minnesotan musicians will join together in concert at Minneapolis

Cedar Cultural Center on September 10 for a unique evening to celebrate sharing

music across cultures while raising funds to aid the million people displaced by

this summers war in Lebanon.

Sakher Hattar of Jordan, a world-recognized virtuoso of the traditional Middle

Eastern stringed instrument the oud, will be accompanied by the Minnesotan

world-music ensemble Crossing Borders led by Russell Packard.

The 7:30 p.m. concert, sponsored by KFAI 90.3/106.7 FM, will showcase the

sensuous and captivating sound of traditional Arab music, and it will double as

a fundraiser to support the acclaimed relief work being done in southern Lebanon

by the respected aid group Mercy Corps International.

Russell Packard said the concert is an attempt to meet tragedy with joy and

hope. A social justice activist from Washington County who uses music to bridge

between cultures, Packard was scheduled to perform at the Jerash international

arts festival in Jordan this summer. The festival was cancelled in light of the

devastation in Lebanon, and Packard and Hattar agreed to recast the Minneapolis

concert as a benefit. It wouldnt be right to have a celebration of Middle

Eastern music without a statement of empathy and peace and solidarity, Packard

said.

All profits from CDs sold at the show will go to Mercy Corps. Donations to

Mercy Corps can be made at the show or via the groups web site

www.mercycorps.org. Admission is $18 in advance or $20 at the show: See

www.thecedar.org or call 612-338-2674 for show details.

Fundraising:

Donations to Mercy Corps can be made at the show or online at

www.mercycorps.org. All profits from CDs sold at the show will go to Mercy

Corps